On auction is this portrait by the famous Roy Reynolds, one of the top painters in SA art history.
This small painting - more or less A4 size - was painted in 1962 and is in a reasonably good condition considering its age.
Roy Peter Reynolds was born in Eastleigh, Hampshire, England on the 30th June 1929. Following in the footsteps of his illustrious ancestor Sir Joshua Reynolds, he showed an aptitude for art at a very early age, being merely two years old when his first painting sold. A Dr. Jennings, visiting an ill family member, saw Reynolds lying on the floor painting a swan on a lake with bulrushes and reflections in the water. He watched the child complete the picture and offered Mrs. Reynolds half a crown for it stating that one day the boy would be a great artists. The picture was still in Dr. Jennings possession in the mid 1960's. This talent was encouraged throughout his early school years and was developed further at Moseley School of Art, and Margaret Street College of Art in Birmingham. Whilst still a student Reynolds 'stooged' for well known cartoonists Norman Pett and Steve Dowling, drawing such characters as 'Jane', 'Ruggles' and 'Garth'. After leaving the Royal Air Force in 1949, where he served in Air Sea Rescue, Reynolds joined his family who had emigrated to South Africa after the war. Working in advertising and design studios he won prestigious gold medals for four consecutive years. He also taught art and anatomy and worked with Professor Raymond Dart, the Australian anthropologist who discovered Australopithecus Africanus (an early hominid). Subsequent to successfully overcoming polio against all medical opinion, Reynolds concentrated on his fine art. During his recouperation he was commissioned to paint the then Prime Minister, Dr. D. F. Malan. This was followed by portraits of many other cabinet members and the panoramic work that depicted the funeral of Strijdom which included 3,000 portraits. In 1963 he returned to England for a holiday but was soon commissioned to paint a series of six portraits including H.R.H Prince Philip, Lord Bradford, Lord Hunt and Sir Edward Dodd, which resulted in him staying longer than expected. Reynolds established one of London's top design consultancies and, in 1971 brought out his book "Sixty Miles of Pencil" which illustrated the famous London to Brighton veteran car run. Seventeen years later he returned to South Africa where he lived until 1992 when he moved back to England. During these prolific years Reynolds became one of South Africa's leading artists and was made the official artist to the South African Navy.
Please refer to pictures for general condition. Postage and packaging will be done on the Wednesday after the auction.
